Inside World Cup 2026's First Halftime Show With Justin Bieber, BTS
Channing Tatum's World Cup Transformation Into Soccer Star Erling Haaland Deserves a Double Take
The 2026 World Cup is taking a page out of the American football playbook.
As the international soccer competition makes its way through stadiums across North America, the championship match will kick off at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey July 19, featuring a well-known sports tradition in the US: a dazzling halftime performance.
Indeed, BTS, Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber are joining forces to co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Halftime Show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. The set will start at 3 p.m. ET and air on Telemundo, FOX, and Peacock.
The performance—produced by Global Citizen in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted—will hit all the right notes with its setlist and its support for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The initiative aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and soccer opportunities globally, with $1 added to every ticket sold for matches.
Martin announced the concert in a video with Sesame Street's most beloved characters, who helped choose which artists to feature. While Elmo was hung up Madonna and Animal wanted to move his hips to Shakira, Cookie Monster knew BTS would be smoother than butter onstage.
With the final match featuring the first-ever halftime show, the "Paradise" singer explained to Elmo what this milestone means.
"It's a chance to show how amazing all different kinds of humans are," he said. "Monster, aliens, it's one big family, really. And we get to raise some money for children's education."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella/PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images/Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Bieber, who was added to the lineup on July 8, is thrilled to be bringing "the world together" with the massive production.
"I'm grateful to be part of this Halftime Show," he said in a statement obtained by E! News July 8, "and even more grateful knowing it's already helping expand access to education for children around the world."
Madonna is more than ready to express herself for a great cause, which she described as "deeply meaningful" to her.
"Without education, children are denied opportunity before they even have a chance," she continued in the May FIFA press release. "Every child deserves access to a quality learning—because education expands possibilities and creates lasting change."
Jon Kopaloff/WireImage
BTS—which includes members Jung Kook, J-Hope, Suga, Jin, Jimin, RM and V—are ready to spark dynamite for the initiative. As they emphasized in the announcement, "Music is the universal language of hope and harmony."
Meanwhile, Shakira shared a glimpse into her setlist, adding that she will be singing her and Burna Boy's new song "Dai Dai," which she wrote for the World Cup.
"I've spent my life doing two things—making songs and building schools. At the FIFA World Cup, those two paths come together," she said in the release. "My hope is that on the world's biggest stage, the importance of investing in children's education steals the show!"
While fans wait to see the game-winning halftime show, keep reading all the celebs at the FIFA World Cup.
Courtesy of SoFi
Simone Ashley
From the Ton to the pitch. The Bridgerton actress caught the Spain vs. Belgium game from inside the SoFi suite at Los Angeles Stadium July 10.
Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Big Sean
The "Bounce Back" rapper decided to hit up the Spain vs. Belgium game in his Nike tee.
Getty Images for FIFA
Tinashe
The "Nasty" singer's got stamina as she watched the July 5 match with Marriott Bonvoy.
Mike Stobe/Getty Images for Casamigos
Rosie DiMare & Kelsey Swanson
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island stars put aside their feud for a winning jersey swap at the FIFA World Cup 2026 match with Casamigos on July 5.
Steph Chambers - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Jay-Z
The rapper's got 99 problems but attending the Brazil vs. Norway match on July 5 ain't one.
Mike Stobe/Getty Images for Casamigos
Joseph Sikora & Michael Rainey Jr.
The Power stars created the ultimate legacy at the Casamigos suite during the Brazil vs. Norway FIFA World Cup 2026 match on July 5.
Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Nigel Sylvester
The BMX athlete toasted to the Brazil vs. Norway game from inside the Tequila Don Julio suite at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Victoria Beckham & David Beckham
The couple spiced up the Argentina vs. Cabo Verde game at Miami Stadium July 3, bringing along their sons Romeo Beckham and Cruz Beckham.
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Samuel L. Jackson
The Pulp Fiction alum rocked head-to-toe Adidas as he caught the Australia vs. Egypt game at Dallas Stadium on July 3.
Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Myles O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal's son had a slam dunk time inside the Tequila Don Julio suite during the France vs. Sweden match on on June 30.
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio
Serayah & Joey Bada$$
Parents' night out. The model and the "Devastated" rapper caught the Panama vs. England game from the Tequila Don Julio suite at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 27.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Union Station
Travis Barker
The Blink-182 drummer rocked out during the World Cup Fan Zone festivities at Los Angeles' Union Station on June 27.
Courtesy of Michelob ULTRA
Jude Bellingham & Camille Kostek
After helping England secure a 2-0 win against Panama, the soccer player was honored with Michelob ULTRA's Superior Player of the Match Award by the model.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Channing Tatum
The Magic Mike star dressed up as Norwegian soccer player Erling Haaland alongside fans during the Norway vs. France game at Boston Stadium on June 26.
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio
Dru Phillips & Madison Whitworth
The NFL star and his girlfriend had a touchdown time watching the Ecuador vs. Germany game from the Tequila Don Julio suite at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 25.
Courtesy of SoFi
Nick Lachey
The 98 Degrees singer cherished his time inside the SoFi suite during the Turkey vs. USA game at Los Angeles Stadium on June 25.
Courtesy of Raising Cane’s
Ashton Kutcher
The That '70s Show alum was hanging out, down the street from the Turkey vs. USA game at Los Angeles Stadium, hitting up a Raising Cane’s party hosted on Snoop Dogg's Compound in Inglewood, Calif.
Jared C. Tilton - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Paris Hilton & London Hilton-Reum
The "Stars Are Blind" singer and her daughter, who she shares with husband Carter Reum, watched the Turkey vs. USA from inside Los Angeles Stadium.
Courtesy of Raising Cane’s
Jessica Alba & Danny Ramirez
The couple had a date night at Raising Cane's viewing party on June 25.
Courtesy of SoFi
Simu Liu
The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings actor marveled at the view from the SoFi suite during the Turkey vs. USA game June 25.
Courtesy of Raising Cane’s
Joey King
The Kissing Booth actress cheered on Turkey at the Raising Cane's party on June 25.
Courtesy of Raising Cane’s
Dalton Gomez & Maika Monroe
Reminders of love. The real estate broker and the Reminders of Him star cozied up at the Raising Cane's party after the Turkey vs. USA game.
Li Ming/Xinhua via Getty Images
Travis Scott, Stormi Webster & Aire Webster
The "Sicko Mode" rapper brought his and ex Kylie Jenner's kids to the Portugal vs. Uzbekistan game in Houston on June 23.
Bryan Bedder-Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio
Eva Gutowski & Olav Stubberud
The YouTuber and the filmmaker cheered on Norway from the Tequila Don Julio suite inside New York New Jersey Stadium on June 22.
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Casamigos
Melissa Gorga & Teresa Giudice
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The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars put aside their longtime feud for an iconic jersey swap at the Norway vs. Senegal match with Casamigos.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Casamigos
Keegan-Michael Key & Gabrielle Union
The Wonka actor and Bring It On star settled their debate over classic margs vs. spicy margs with Casamigos Margaritas while cheering on Brazil vs. Morocco at NY NJ Stadium June 13.
David X. Prutting/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Rauw Alejandro
The "Toda" singer was rooting for Brazil in his Nike jersey during the team's game against Morocco.
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Lameka Fox
The model grabbed a drink inside the Tequila Don Julio suite at NY NJ Stadium during the Brazil vs. Morocco game.
Courtesy of Michelob ULTRA
Vinícius Jr. & Ronaldo
After playing against Morocco on June 13, Vini Jr. received Michelob ULTRA's Superior Player of the Match Award from his soccer hero.
Courtesy of Raising Cane's
Halle Berry & Jamie Foxx
The Oscar winners were all smiles inside Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ celebrity suite at Los Angeles Stadium during the USA vs. Paraguay game.
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